Cuttack: Intensifying its protest against Mahanadi and Polavaram projects, Biju Janta Dal (BJD) launched a signature drive in Cuttack on Friday.
The drive was inaugurated by party supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik at Christian field in front of Anand Bahwan in the city.
As part of the campaign, signatures of each family of the state will be collected and later will be sent to the President Pranab Mukherjee.
Addressing the gathering, Patnaik, said, “I have discussed with number of parties, organisations and personalities over the Mahanadi issue. Besides, I have also visited Delhi to hold discussions with Chhattisgarh and the Central governments.”
“We have also demanded to stop the project work of Chhattisgarh which is being carried out on the upper catchment area of Mahanadi. I also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention into the matter,” Patnaik added.
Also read: No compromise on Mahanadi, Polavaram issues: Naveen
“We have also decided to move court to over the issue,” Patnaik informed.
Addressing the gathering, minister and senior BJD leader Damodar Rout said, "The BJP government in Chhattisgarh begun barrage work as per their wish without informing anyone. In coming days, Hirakud dam will not get enough water and Odisha will suffer a drought."
Elaborating about the BJD plans on the issue, Baijayant Panda, Kendrapara MP, said, "The signature campaign is being undertaken to present our demands. Besides, as part of stepped up measures a 'mahasamavesh' will be organised in Delhi to present the State’s demands before the Centre."
Terming the ruling party's actions as 'drama', Narasingha Mishra, Opposition leader, said, "We request the BJD to stop this gimmick as the State’s interest will not be kept with these things. The State government should take either legal help or send letter to the Centre asking it to form a tribunal or seek help of Supreme Court."
Lambasting the BJD, Sajjan Sharma, BJP chief spokesperson, said, "During past 17 years the major damages happened. For example the State government is yet to take any administrative action or seek legal help to address the issue despite claiming to go for these steps three months back."
Sharma added, "I would like to know why the BJD have not taken action yet and whom they are helping by remaining silent."
Earlier in the day, women BJD workers hold a kalash yatra.